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Innovative Power Transmission Solutions Driving Efficiency and Sustainability in the Oil Palm Industry
- Asia Palm Oil Magazine
- Oct 6
- 4 min read
Mr. Tang has been with the Sumitomo Group since 2005 and brings extensive experience across Engineering, Service, Gearbox Product Management, and Business Development.
Over the years, he has visited numerous palm oil mills, group headquarters, and OEMs across Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand to better understand their operational needs and product
improvement requests.
With these valuable insights, Mr. Tang has collaborated closely with the factory R&D team to introduce additional product ranges and options in recent years-which have been well received by leading palm oil groups.
Q1. Sumitomo has been a key player in power transmission globally. How do your products and services specifically support the oil palm industry?
Absolutely. Sumitomo has been involved in the palm oil industry since the 1980s. We set up assembly plants across ASEAN back in 1995, and since then, we’ve kept expanding— both our product range and our network.
For example, we introduced the Paramax YHD series, designed specifically for palm oil applications. On top of that, we’re the only brand with direct warehouses and service workshops in places like Sampit and Medan. This means our customers don’t just buy a product—they get fast, on-the-ground support whenever they need it.
Q2. Palm oil milling can be tough, with heavy loads, vibration, and harsh conditions. How do Sumitomo gear solutions handle these challenges?
We design our gearboxes to survive that environment—strong housings to withstand vibration, long-life bearings that last as long as the equipment itself. But what really sets us apart is our KAIZEN approach—continuous improvement. Let me give you an example: a few years back, one of our YHD070 gearboxes developed a housing crack at a mill.
When we checked, it turned out the foundation had sunk and thrown the coupling out of alignment. Technically, not a product fault. But instead of leaving it there, we redesigned the housing mould to make it
even stronger—so no other customer would face that risk again. That’s our way of making sure customers get peace of mind.
Q3. Industry 4.0 and automation are reshaping industries. How is Sumitomo integrating smart technologies into palm oil mills?
We’re already seeing this transformation taking place. With rising manpower costs, automation is no longer a choice—it’s becoming a necessity. At Sumitomo, we collaborated with YKL Engineering to pioneer automation solutions for kernel crushing plants and machinery, powered by our Sumitomo Invertek technology. We’re excited to showcase this enhanced innovation at the upcoming PIPOC, Booth No. 264 & 265, from 18th–20th November 2025, and we invite you to come explore it with us.
Q4. Efficiency is everything in palm oil production. How do your products help mills cut downtime and boost productivity?
You’re right—downtime is the biggest enemy in a mill. If a gearbox fails and there’s no spare, it could take weeks to get a replacement in remote locations. That’s why we build gearboxes and gearmotors to last. And to back that up, we’ve strategically placed warehouses in Sabah, Medan, and Sampit, so we can deliver faster than anyone else. At the end of the day, we don’t just sell products—we help mills keep running without costly interruptions.
Q5. Sustainability is now a big focus. How do Sumitomo’s solutions support energy efficient and eco-friendly operations?
That’s true—sustainability is no longer a buzzword, it’s a real requirement. For years, mills generated their own electricity, so efficiency wasn’t always top-of-mind. But things are changing. More mills now see the benefits of our high-efficiency SM motors, especially standalone kernel mills that can actually reduce their power bills with them.
Q6. The industry faces environmental scrutiny. How does Sumitomo help mills operate greener?
This is close to our heart. In fact, in 2023 we launched the Digester Drywell Series—a gearbox that uses up to 65% less lubrication oil per change. Not only does this cut waste and cost, but its leak-free design eliminates the risk of MOSH/MOAH contamination in digesters.
We also see a lot of waste when gearboxes fail prematurely. We’ve replaced countless units from other brands that gave up after just 1–2 years, sometimes even months, because of poor design or undersizing. Every replacement adds cost and increases carbon footprint—new production, scrap processing, logistics. A gearbox should be designed to last, and that’s what we stand for.
Q7. Advanced technology can sound expensive. How do you balance innovation with affordability, especially for smaller mills?
That’s a fair point. Palm oil is one of the most cost-sensitive industries, but also one of our largest markets—with product optimisation & big production volume, our prices are very competitive. The difference is in the quality. We use premium gear materials and bearings, and every single unit is 100% tested before it leaves the factory.
Many others only test a sample. So yes, you might pay a little more upfront compared to cheaper alternatives, but if a cheaper gearbox fails early, the downtime and replacement costs quickly outweigh the savings. It’s really about long-term value.
Q8. Finally, where do you see Sumitomo’s role in the palm oil industry going forward?
We see ourselves as more than a gearbox supplier—we’re a long-term partner to the palm oil industry. Our role is to keep innovating, whether it’s improving reliability, making operations more sustainable, or helping mills embrace Industry 4.0.
At the end of the day, we want mills to run smoother, greener, and more profitably—not just today, but for decades to come. That’s the future we’re working toward, together with our customers.